Chapter Summaries

Zhou Quan launched the Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Anti-Drug Operations, assigning coordinated strikes against Golden Triangle drug groups across four countries. After a seventeen-hour offensive arrested or killed hundreds of traffickers and seized tonnes of drugs, the operations ended temporarily, while Zhou Quan left most decisions about seized illicit funds to the participating countries.

• Jing Jinxian sent the commanders intelligence assigning Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Thailand to strike the Nuo Ka, Puzha, and Eight-Faced Buddha Groups, while Myanmar and Laos targeted the Shapuqiu and Kangsucha Groups.
• Zhou Quan ordered the Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Anti-Drug Operations to commence, and commanders began deploying forces against their targets.
• The participating forces attacked drug strongholds and facilities across the Golden Triangle, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, prioritizing arrests and assaulting traffickers who resisted.
• After seventeen hours, the operations had arrested or killed several hundred traffickers and seized tonnes of drugs, but Nuo Ka's hideout remained undiscovered.
• Zhou Quan tacitly allowed the participating forces to handle seized drug money and illicit funds themselves, apart from drugs kept as evidence.

Zhou Quan’s joint anti-drug operations dismantled four of the Golden Triangle’s major drug organizations, but Nuo Ka remained at large, preventing a complete victory. Zhou secretly traveled to northern Thailand to meet Ching Tung and the former Hong Kong Island Police officers who had become his hidden force.

• The joint operations cleared many criminal forces and largely destroyed the Puzha, Eight-Faced Buddha, Kangsucha, and Shapuqiu Groups, while Nuo Ka and some of his followers escaped.
• Zhou Quan kept Wei Mianna in secret custody and used planted intelligence to shield Fang Xinwu, Ching Tung, and their men, who remained officially wanted as part of his plan.
• As the operations paused, Zhou left the command center with a security team led by Pang Yik-hang and Ying Cheung-sam and traveled through secret channels into the mountains of northern Thailand.
• Zhou’s convoy met a Thai-plated Land Rover Defender and followed it to a European-style compound at the summit of Tongsu Mountain.
• Ching Tung and the former Hong Kong Island Police officers saluted Zhou when he arrived.

Zhou Quan reunited with the undercover officers who had spent years infiltrating the Golden Triangle and praised their loyalty and sacrifices. He then greeted Fang Xinwu, and they went inside to discuss the operation’s final stage.

• Zhou Quan surveyed the undercover brothers, including Ching Tung, and reflected on the dangers they had endured in the Golden Triangle.
• Zhou Quan saluted the brothers and thanked them, and they answered with the Police Force’s slogan.
• Zhou Quan praised each brother, shook their hands, and promised to hold a celebration after the mission.
• Fang Xinwu greeted Zhou Quan and said he was glad he had returned to the Golden Triangle.
• Zhou Quan embraced Fang Xinwu, and they agreed the operation would deal a devastating blow to local drug traffickers.
• Zhou Quan led Fang Xinwu and the brothers inside to discuss the next stage of the operation.

Zhou Quan and Fang Xinwu planned ways to locate Nuo Ka’s hideout after the joint anti-drug operation devastated the Golden Triangle’s trafficking groups. Fang intended to approach Nuo Ka through his Thai military protector, while Zhou prepared a separate trap involving Heisagu Prison’s warden.

• Zhou Quan asked Fang Xinwu how they could find Nuo Ka’s hideout.
• Fang Xinwu proposed seeking Nuo Ka’s help to meet General Bita, hoping to lure out Nuo Ka or another core member.
• Fang Xinwu explained that Nuo Ka might be tempted to recruit him, Ching Tung, and their men while planning revenge after his recent losses.
• Zhou Quan approved Fang Xinwu’s plan and promised to provide a satellite phone number and backup.
• Zhou Quan revealed that his men would use false identities to approach Mr. Sha, the warden of Heisagu Prison, and capture a Nuo Ka Group member.

Zhou Quan launched an elaborate entrapment operation against Nuo Ka, using Su Kin-chiu and a fabricated Mainland Chinese identity to approach Nuo Ka’s partner, Mr. Sha. As negotiations began, Nuo Ka appeared to be preparing a move of his own, and a suspicious child approached the Joint Operations Command Centre.

• Zhou Quan returned to the Joint Operations Command Centre after planning the operation with Fang Xinwu, while Fang Xinwu and Ching Tung remained behind to finish the cleanup task.
• Zhou Quan recruited Su Kin-chiu to lead the entrapment, giving him the cover identity of Lik Qiu, a former drug trafficker who had become an entertainment industry boss in northern Mainland China.
• Su Kin-chiu arrived in the Golden Triangle and, with Zhou Quan’s other actors, began approaching Mr. Sha through his representative to negotiate a major drug deal.
• Su Kin-chiu and Mr. Sha’s representative entered tentative negotiations while Zhou Quan waited for Nuo Ka to take the bait.
• A scrawny boy with face cream smeared on his cheeks sat near the Joint Operations Command Centre, and Paparazzi officers reported him as suspicious to the command centre’s Technology Group.

Jing Jinxian and the command centre officers identified two suspicious children as possible child soldiers and moved to stop them as they approached the gate. The children’s intentions remained unknown as Jing ordered snipers to target their arms and guards to check their belongings for explosives.

• Jing Jinxian ordered perimeter officers to watch the first suspicious child and use low-velocity rubber bullets if necessary.
• Jing called Ma Hiu Tin to assess whether the child’s face cream concealed signs of drug use.
• Ma Hiu Tin identified the first child and a second child as recent drug users with visible drug sores.
• The second child handed a canvas bag to the first, and the pair moved toward the command centre’s gate post while the shorter child ducked out of the guards’ sight.
• Jing ordered the Sniper Group to target the children’s arms and instructed the gate guards to inspect their belongings for explosives.

Jing Jinxian ordered Thai Police snipers to shoot two suspected child soldiers with rubber bullets, and the boys dropped a phone bomb outside the Operations Command Centre. Guards rushed toward them despite the danger, leaving the bomb’s threat unresolved.

• Jing Jinxian deduced that the two suspicious children might be Nuo Ka’s child soldiers and decided to take responsibility for stopping them.
• Jing Jinxian ordered the Thai Police Headquarters Sniper Group to fire low-velocity rubber bullets at the boys.
• The snipers hit the children in their shoulder blades, and both fell to the ground as their canvas bag spilled open.
• A guard spotted a phone bomb in the bag and shouted a warning.
• The guards rushed toward the children despite the risk of the bomb detonating.

Jing Jinxian’s decisive response helped guards capture two Nuo Ka Group terrorists before they could detonate a phone bomb at the Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Operations command center. The leaders gathered in Zhou Quan’s office to seek recognition for Jing Jinxian and retaliate against Nuo Ka, whom Zhou Quan considered finished.

• The guards subdued the two boys, found pistols and a phone bomb, and prevented the bomb from being triggered.
• The guards safely dealt with the crude phone bomb, and the Action Group identified Nuo Ka as responsible for the attempted attack.
• The Action Group personnel admired Zhou Quan’s foresight and credited Jing Jinxian’s judgment with saving their lives.
• Yu Ping, Kong Chi Lap, and other leaders gathered in Zhou Quan’s office to request recognition for Jing Jinxian and strike back at the Nuo Ka Group.
• Zhou Quan received the leaders while taking a satellite-phone call and judged that Nuo Ka’s forces had reached the end of the road.

Zhou Quan briefed the Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Operations team that Na Tu was preparing a drug deal and Fang Xinwu had located Nuo Ka’s hideout. With secrecy measures in place and the undercover agents’ safety considered, Zhou Quan launched the final operation against the Nuo Ka Group.

• Zhou Quan received reports that Na Tu would lead Nuo Ka Group members in a drug deal and that Fang Xinwu had found Nuo Ka’s hideout.
• Zhou Quan told the joint operations management team that the time was right to close the net on the Nuo Ka Group.
• Jing Jinxian’s team controlled and monitored communications at the Joint Operations Command Centre to protect the operation’s secrecy.
• Zhou Quan considered bringing Fang Xinwu, Ching Tung, and the other undercover officers out of the Golden Triangle after the crackdown.
• The joint operations leaders supported the strike against Nuo Ka after his child soldiers’ telephone-bomb attack had endangered them.
• Zhou Quan officially began the final operation against the Nuo Ka Group under the codename “Plow the Courtyard.”

Zhou Quan coordinated the final Operation Thunderous Sweep to destroy the Nuo Ka Group while assigning Myanmar, Laos and Thailand to purge corrupt forces in their own territories. He left the commanders armed and waiting for orders, warning that he would punish anyone who compromised the operation.

• Zhou Quan ordered the representatives of China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand to prepare for Operation Thunderous Sweep against the Nuo Ka Group.
• Zhou Quan directed Myanmar, Laos and Thailand to launch simultaneous operations against corrupt officials and forces, while Hong Kong Island and Mainland China led the assault on Nuo Ka’s group.
• Zhou Quan assigned Ma Hiu Tin and Officer Gao to plan the arrests of Na Tu and the other traffickers, and Sir Pang to command the assault on Nuo Ka’s hideout.
• Zhou Quan said informants inside the Nuo Ka Group would provide specific information when the operation began, then ordered everyone to gear up and stand by.
• Zhou Quan demanded strict confidentiality and threatened to punish anyone who obstructed the operation or endangered the undercover officers.

Pang Yik-hang briefed the Special Operations Team on its assault against the Nuo Ka Group’s secret headquarters, including the role of the undercover agents inside. The teams boarded helicopters and flew toward the battlefield, beginning the final battle.

• Thai police reinforcements prepared two Cobra attack helicopters and five Super Puma transport helicopters for Operation Thunderous Sweep.
• Pang Yik-hang ordered the Special Operations Team to capture Nuo Ka and the group’s core criminals alive if possible, while prioritizing mission success and personnel safety.
• Pang Yik-hang divided the team into four groups for a simultaneous silent infiltration and attack from four directions.
• Pang Yik-hang told the team that the Eight-Faced Buddha Group members undercover inside Nuo Ka’s lair had had their wanted notices revoked and would create chaos to support the assault.
• Pang Yik-hang led the teams aboard the helicopters, and the two Cobra helicopters escorted the five Super Pumas toward the battlefield.

The joint forces began their final operations against the Nuo Ka Group as Zhou Quan and Yu Ping watched the assault unfold through live footage at the command centre. Pang Yik-hang’s team reached the stronghold and began a silent, four-sided infiltration, leaving the attack poised to continue.

• Ma Hiu Tin and Gao Gang led a discreet anti-drug convoy to arrest traffickers lured out of hiding, while Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand launched their own final roundups.
• Zhou Quan and Yu Ping remained at the Joint Operations Command Centre as Kong Chi Lap oversaw intelligence specialists transmitting the assault team’s footage live.
• Pang Yik-hang’s seven helicopters reached the operational area, and five set down the assault personnel while two Cobras stayed airborne on standby.
• Pang Yik-hang’s four assault groups surrounded the Nuo Ka Group’s stronghold, and their snipers moved into position as sentries were eliminated with suppressed weapons.
• Jing Jinxian’s specialists sent miniature robots and drones into the stronghold, where the traffickers’ lax security and drug use allowed the silent infiltration to proceed without incident.

Pang Yik-hang commanded a coordinated assault on Nuo Ka’s stronghold, where the team’s technology and surprise attacks destroyed weapons and overwhelmed the drug traffickers. The assault teams advanced toward the camp’s centre, where Nuo Ka normally lived.

• Jing Jinxian reported that the Technology Group had deployed its robots and drones without being detected.
• Pang Yik-hang ordered the team to target groups of traffickers and weapons, while snipers covered the advance, despite his distress at seeing child soldiers among the enemies.
• The Technology Group used its equipment to strike traffickers and destroy weapons and ammunition, triggering powerful secondary explosions.
• Pang Yik-hang ordered the assault teams to move in from four directions, and the traffickers were caught off guard and could not mount an effective defence.
• Snipers shot traffickers who tried to use powerful weapons as the assault teams advanced toward the centre of the stronghold.

Fang Xinwu and Ching Tung captured Nuo Ka and Wengsha during the final battle of Operation Thunderous Sweep. The Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Operations forces secured the wooden house, bringing the operation to a successful close.

• Nuo Ka reached for his weapons as fighting approached, but Fang Xinwu and Ching Tung attacked him and Wengsha from behind.
• Fang Xinwu knocked Nuo Ka unconscious, and Ching Tung subdued Wengsha while their men secured the wooden house.
• After the gunfire outside ended, Pang Yik-hang led his team inside and confirmed that Nuo Ka and Wengsha were in custody.
• The command center applauded as Pang Yik-hang reported that Operation Thunderous Sweep was a complete success.

After Operation Thunderous Sweep ended, Zhou Quan met with Fang Xinwu and discussed what would come next for him. Fang Xinwu said he would follow Mainland China's orders, but explained that his years undercover meant he could no longer return to his former life.

• Zhou Quan left the remaining seized assets and criminal-network matters to others after the joint operation concluded.
• Zhou Quan asked Fang Xinwu about his plans, and Fang said he would follow Mainland China's arrangements.
• Zhou Quan advised Fang Xinwu to return to regular police work because the operation had made his undercover identity more vulnerable.
• Fang Xinwu said he could not return to his former life, explaining that he had been undercover in the Golden Triangle for more than a decade.

Zhou Quan offered Fang Xinwu a chance to join the Hong Kong Island Police Force and choose among several departments, promising support and a place on its priority development list. He then gave Fang a photograph of Chan Phong’s corpse, revealing that the man tied to Fang’s past had been killed during an arrest operation.

• Zhou Quan offered to recruit Fang Xinwu as a chief inspector and let him choose between three departments.
• Zhou Quan promised to support Fang’s career and resolve certain past actions through a pardon order.
• Zhou Quan handed Fang a folder containing a photograph of Chan Phong’s corpse.
• Fang recognized Chan Phong, whose crimes had caused his girlfriend’s death and his own dereliction of duty.
• Zhou Quan explained that Anti-Narcotics Squad officers had shot Chan dead during the operation to arrest Na Tu and the others.

Fang Xinwu learned that Xing Deng had been killed and chose to join Hong Kong Island’s Narcotics Investigation Division, with Zhou Quan promising to arrange his transfer. After the successful operation’s evidence was allocated, Zhou Quan prepared to return with the team and resume the police delegation’s visit.

• Fang Xinwu recognized Xing Deng in an autopsy photograph and tucked it away to burn before his fiancée’s grave.
• Fang Xinwu thanked Zhou Quan and chose a post in Hong Kong Island’s Narcotics Investigation Division over the National Security Department or the Police College.
• Zhou Quan agreed to handle Fang Xinwu’s transfer procedures and said he would speak with Hao Jianguo.
• Yu Ping and Kong Chi Lap handled the joint operation’s work while the evidence and seized items were inventoried and allocated.
• Zhou Quan prepared to lead the Hong Kong Island and Mainland China personnel out of the Golden Triangle Special Administrative Region and return with the visiting delegation.

Zhou Quan and the Hong Kong Island Police Force delegation returned after the successful Four-Country, Five-Region Joint Operations, receiving a high-profile welcome and praise from the Hong Kong Government. The victory press conference celebrated their achievement, while the force prepared to restore its leadership arrangements and put the delegation’s plans into practice.

• Sir Kwan led the returning Police Force delegation, including Zhou Quan and undercover officers Fang Xinwu and Ching Tung, off the aircraft at Hong Kong Island International Airport.
• Chief Secretary Lok Ming-wah and Secretary for Security, along with Luo Danian and other officials, welcomed the delegation and accompanied them to the Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• Lok Ming-wah praised the officers’ work and promised to nominate outstanding participants for medals of honor.
• Zhou Quan declared the Police Force’s commitment to making Hong Kong Island the safest place in the Asia-Pacific region and to fighting drug-related harm.
• The Police Force’s senior officers postponed their victory banquet and focused on restoring Chow Sing Sing and Lau Kit-fai’s duties after Luo Danian relinquished his acting commissioner role.

Zhou Quan convened a closed-door meeting with the Police Force’s senior management after returning to Hong Kong Island, praising Luo Danian’s work as Acting Commissioner and subtly promoting him as his successor. After the officers reviewed their recent work, Zhou Quan announced that he had other matters to discuss, and Chow Sing Sing offered to follow his orders.

• Zhou Quan gathered the Police Force’s commissioner-level officers at Tai Kwun and thanked those who had maintained public order during his absence.
• Zhou Quan singled out Luo Danian’s performance as Acting Commissioner, signaling his support for Luo as a future successor.
• Luo Danian credited his colleagues and subordinates for keeping Hong Kong stable while he managed the Police Force and supported operations abroad.
• The senior officers reviewed their recent work, and Zhou Quan then raised other matters for discussion.
• Chow Sing Sing stated that the officers were ready to follow Zhou Quan’s orders.

Zhou Quan gave the Police Force core management instructions on upgrading equipment and arranging the return of former undercover officers. He proposed a new honorary commendation for undercover officers who regained their Police status, leaving the group free to offer suggestions.

• Zhou Quan ordered the Action Group to prepare for the Police Force's new equipment, which Chow Sing Sing had procured from Norinco.
• Zhou Quan assigned Lau Kit-fai's Administration Group to prepare debriefings and future development arrangements for Ching Tung and the other former Police Officers.
• Zhou Quan said that whether the returning officers joined the National Security Department was for Kong Chi Lap to decide.
• Zhou Quan proposed an honorary commendation for Police Officers who had served on the Covert Front and regained their status, and invited the core management to give suggestions.